Last season's supermarket sweep that left rival fans so green with envy (particularly Arsenal supporters moaning about the lack of transfer activity there) came back to bite Spurs on the back in a big way.

Far from being transformed into serial thrillers, Andre Villas-Boas's safety-first tactics left fans frustrated and could not prevent Tottenham being trashed by West Ham, Manchester City and a Liverpool side missing three of their best players.

Because the former Spurs and Blackburn midfielder is known to be a big champion of the young players at the club, which could make the January transfer window very interesting indeed for some of the club's more experienced stars...

Where do they need to strengthen?

At left-back, where Jan Vertonghen is injured and Kyle Naughton is sadly not good enough. The position is their weakest link.

Favourite to fill it is Benoit Assou Ekotto who gladly chose to go out on loan to QPR last summer after his relationship with AVB disintegrated. He is set to be recalled when the window reopens.

Other options include experienced left-backs Fabio Coentrao at Real Madrid and Alvaro Pereira at Inter Milan.

Both were both looked at last summer and are both keen on moves to gain regular first-team football.

After an initial interest in the Manchester United misfit Alexander Buttner the club have gone cold and believe they can do better.

In every other position Spurs look decent - except for their forward line. Emmanuel Adebayor has gained a second wind while Roberto Soldado should eventually start cashing in on the many chances being created by Tim Sherwood's more attacking tactics.

(Photo: Reuters)

But Spurs have already done a deal to sell Jermain Defoe to Toronto FC and once he leaves in March (Spurs have asked him to stay on until then), the north Londoners will be short.

They like both Corinthians striker Pato and Manchester United marksman Javier Hernandez. Pato, enduring an unhappy time having fallen out with his club's fans and team-mates, will be glad to get out of there.

How much money is there to spend?

They ended up in credit after their summer business and have the funding of billionaire Joe Lewis to tap into. Despite his problems Pato would still be a steal at around £10-£12million.

Assou-Ekotto would cost them nothing while Pereira or Coentrao should both be reasonably priced.

Forget their League Cup exit. Their primary target by a million miles is the Premier League, whether that is top four or even the title in this the most open season for years.

Given that they are just eight points off leaders Arsenal despite being seventh, the right signings could restore Tottenham's formidable home form and put them back in business.

Who is heading for the exit door?

Some pretty big clubs are circling for Tottenham's £30million record signing Erik Lamela. Despite the Argentina winger's claim that he is willing to stay and fight for his place he is known to be frustrated at now playing regularly.

Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are leading the chase for him with Tim Sherwood more willing to place his faith in the Tottenham's English players.

To loan Lamela out after just five months would be hugely embarrassing for Tottenham. But something will have to give eventually. A decision is expected in mid-January.

(Photo: Reuters)

Real Madrid have emerged as suitors for Brazilian midfielder Paulinho given his impressive start to life in London. His injury, however, has ruled him out for four weeks and could have put paid to that. In any case, the player himself has insisted he wants to remain at Spurs for the time being.

Spurs could also find it tricky if they get an offer that they can't refuse for Emmanuel Adebayor, despite his improved form. The Togo striker's big wages mean that they'd be delighted to get him off the wage bill. But the big man has been inspirational since his return, with the warm ovation he received at White Hart Lane on Sunday typical of the way that he has turned it around.

Young Harry Kane has emerged as a target for former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, now at QPR. Sherwood may want to place his faith in youth but Redknapp could offer him more regular action.